Helix forming means



May 21, 1963 A. P. cHARBoNNEAu 3,090,419

HELIX FORMING MEANS Filed June 14. 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 21, 1963 A. P. CHARBONNEAU 3,090,419

HELIX FORMING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 14, 1960 36 /2\ Hummm United States Patent 3,090,419 HELD( FORMING MEANS Allan P. Charbonneau, Wauwatosa, Wis., assignor to Cutler-Hammer, Inc., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Filed .lune 14, 1960, Ser. No. 36,018 Claims. (Cl. 153-64) This invention relates to helix forming means and more particul-arly to apparatus for winding linear wire-like stock material into continuous helical form.

While not limited thereto, the invention is especially applicable to continuous winding of electrical resistance conductor for tubular heaters.

ln the making of tubular heaters and the like having yan outer tubular sheath of metallic material, a concentric electrical resistance conductor and granular insulating material surrounding the conductor and compacted with in the sheath to insulate the conduct-or Ifrom the sheath and to rigidly secure the same therein, it is often desirable to employ an electrical resistance conductor of helical -form to afford sutlicient resistance and current carrying capacity in a predetermined length of sheath. Apparatus for winding linear stock conduct-or into helical Iform has been known heretofore. And these prior winding machines are suitable for winding helixes of .selected lengths which are then inserted into sheaths which are filled and compacted. However, these known machines are not suitable for use in continuous processes for making tubular heaters, that is, processes in which the sheath is formed and its seam welded, the conductor is wound into a helical form and fed into the sheath and the sheath is lled with insulation and compressed simultaneously and continuously to produce a continuous tubular heater element.

Accordingly, it has been found desirable to devise improved winding apparatus which is effectively operable i or use in `continuous lprocess machines for making tubular heaters such as that disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 36,019 filed lune 14, 1960.

An object of the invention is to provide improved means for lforming a helical member.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus for winding a linear conductor into a continuous helical form which is extruded therefrom as it is wound.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide such apparatus with speed adjusting means whereby to control the winding speed and the speed of extrusion of the helix therefrom.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide such apparatus with improved means for providing the conductor with a constant twist .per unit length of conductor as it is fed into the Winding apparatus to provide a tension in the helix. d

Another object of the invention is to provide such apparatus with improved means for rotating the winding head thereof in either direction at an adjustable speed concurrently with the winding operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide such apparatus with means for rotating the winding head thereof in one direction at a predetermined speed concurrently with the winding operation to oiset the rotation of the finished portion of the helix in the other direction caused by the tendency of such helix slightly to open as each turn thereof is released from the winding apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide a helix winding machine which is relatively simple in construction and etlcient in operation and which is adapted for producing a helical conductor as a portion of a continuous automatic process for making tubular heaters.

According -to the invention, there is provided improved apparatus for winding a linear conductor into a continuous helix and simultaneously to extrude the latter for feeding into a tubular heater sheath as the latter is being formed. The winding speed is adjustable to control the speed of extrusion of the helix therefrom. As the wound portion of the helix as it is continuously released from the winding machine has a tendency slightly to open thereby to rotate such helix in one direction, such Winding apparatus is provided with means for rotating the winding head of the apparatus at a corresponding rate in the opposite direction to prevent rotation of the helix as it leaves the winding machine. The conductor is yfed into the winding apparatus in such a way that the conductor is twisted substantially 360 ldegrees for each turn of the helix to impart to the helix an initial tension.

The above mentioned and other objects and advantages of the invention and the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE l is a top View of the winding mechanism constructed in accordance with the invention;

iFIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2 2 of FIG. l and also showing in front elevation a fragmentary portion of the driving mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 3 3 of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional View taken along line 4 4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional View taken along line 5 5 of FIG. l.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a stationary supporting member 2 in the form of a plate or panel. Means are provided for rotatably mounting the coil winding machine on member 2 comprising a flanged journal 4 having an enlarged round upper end portion 4a and a reduced, round depending shank portion 4b extending through an aperture 2a in supporting member 2.. A rotary bearing 6 surrounds shank portion 4b between the hanged end portion 4a and member 2 `and the journal is secured to the supporting member by suitable means such as, for example, a nut 4c threaded on the lower end of shank portion 4b below the supporting member. Journal 4 is provided with an axial hole 4d therethrough providing a passageway for the helical conductor hereinafter described.

The winding machine is provided with a base member 8 having a generally round, shallow cup-shaped portion 8a having a round aperture 8b centrally in the bottom thereof to provide an open-top cavity 8c for accommodating apparatus hereinafter described and to provide access for the helix from such cavity downwardly through the aperture in the bottom thereof. An integral cylindrical portion 8d depends from the bottom of cup-shaped portion Sa for rotatably supporting the base on journal 4. To this end, cylindrical portion 8d has an internal diameter slightly greater than the diameter of aperture 8b to provide an annular shoulder resting on bearing 6. The latter is confined within this cylindrical portion and is secured thereto by a set screw Se or the like for freel rotation on journal 4. Thus, it will be apparent that rotary bearing 6 is secured to cylindrical portion 8d which is integral with base 8 and that the latter supports the remainder of the winding machine for free rotation on journal 4.

As more clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, base 8 is provided with a plurality, preferably four, of rounded protrusions 8f radially arranged around cavity 8c and extending into the latter from the outer wall thereof to provide Suthcient thickness to accommodate a corresponding plurality of tapped holes 8g extending downwardly part way there-A into for receiving screws 8h, shown in FIGS. l and 3, to secure the upper portion of the machine to the base.

A pair of round plates 10,- and 12 overlie base 8, plate 10 closing the cavity in base 8 and plate 12 being spaced upwardly from plate 1G. Plates 10 and 12 are of similar conguration and arel provided radially thereof with alined holes 10a and 12a, FIG. 2, for accommodating the reduced end portions of a bearing pin 14, the enlarged midportion of the latter serving to supportl a rotary pinion gear 16 of a planetary gear system between the plates. At the diametrically opposite side of the plates, there are provided as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 a pair of spaced blocks 18 and 20, each such block being rigidly secured between the plates by a pair of screws 22 extending thereinto through lower plate 18. Blocks 18 and 20 are provided with alined transverse holes for accommodating a journal pin 24 for journaling a pulley 26 for free rotation thereon. Each plate 10' and 12 is provided with an elongated opening 28 between blocks 18 and 20 for providing clearance for the opposite peripheral portions of pulley k26.

Plates 10 and 12 are provided centrally thereof with alined holes accommodating a sleeve 3ft freely rotatable therein. AV sun gear 32 meshing with pinion gear 16 is rigidly secured to sleeve 3l) between 'plates 10- and 12 to rotate therein. Sleeve 36 is internally threaded for receiving an externally threaded adjustable shaft 34 which is locked to sleeve 30 at its upper end by a nut 36 or ythe like threaded on the shaft. Shaft 34 is provided at its lower end with a reduced, cylindrical winding head pin portion 34a having a uniform, round coniiguration in transverse cross-section. The junction between pin portion 34a and the relatively larger threaded portion of shaft 34 is provided With a portion 34h having a gradually reduced concaveconical configuration for initially engaging Wire .38 and for eiecting sliding of the turns of the wire vforming helix 38a toward pin portion 34a and downwardly 'along theV latter as the wire is wound therearound.

A pulley 4Q is mounted by a bearing screw 42 or the like onto the lower surface of plate 10 within the base cavity for free rotation in a plane parallel with plate 10 for guiding wire 3S from pulley 2o to pin portion 34a of the winding head. Pulley 46 is offset to one side of the path of travel of the wire and is positioned so as to force the wire against the entry side of conical portion 34h as shown in FIG. 4. A lever 44 is pivoted at one end on a screw 46 threaded into plate 10 on the lower side of the latter. Lever 44 extends past one side of the winding head and is provided at an intermediate point with a free 1y rotatable, substantially hat compression roll 48 mounted on lever 44 by a screw 50 or the like. As shown in FlG. 5, the other end of lever 44 is provided with a downwardly offset portion having a hole for engaging one end hook of a tension spring S2. The other end hook of spring S2 is fixed to a pin 54 rigidly secured to the lower side of plate 10. Spring -2 serves to bias compression roll 48 against the turns of wire on pin portion 34a of the winding head to prevent rotation of the helix on pin portion 34m but to permit axial sliding' of the helix thereon to facilitate winding of the helix. Screws 8h extend through suitable alined holes in plates 12 and 19` into threaded engagement in tapped holes 8g in base 8 to secure the upper portion of the winding machine to the base, there being suitable sleeves 55 around screws 8h to space plates 10l and 12 from one another as shown in FIG. 3.

A ring gear 56 meshing with pinion gear 16 is arranged around the upper portion of the winding machine. A portion of ring gear 56 including the internal teeth thereof extends between plates and 12 and the outer peripheral portion thereof extends outside plates 1t)l and 12. vA retaining ring S8 surrounds plate 12 and is provided with an upper, internal flange 58a overlying the peripheral edge of upper plate 12. Retaining ring 5S is rigidly secured to the upper surface of the external portion of ring gear 56 by a plurality of screws 60 or the like. As a result, liange 58a and the inner portion of ring gear 56 form a circular groove for accommodating the peripheral portion of plate 12 to rotatably journal the ring gear and retaining ring assembly on plate 12, the internal circular portion of retaining ring S8 forming a bearing surface for the periphery of plate 12.

Base 8 is provided with an annular ilange 8j extending outwardly therefrom, the periphery of which provides a frictional driven connection to a frictional driving wheel 62 of a predetermined diameter as shown in FIG. 2. Another frictional driving wheel 64 engages the periphery of ring ge-ar 56 to drive the latter, wheel 64 having a predetermined larger diameter than wheel 62. Wheels 62 and 64 are rigidly secured in adjacent axial relation onto respective coaxial motor driving members such as tube 66 and shaft 67 or the like. A pulley 68 is rotatably mounted on a fixed shaft a suitable distance above the Winding machine for guiding conductor 38 to pulley 26. Pulley 68 is mounted at one side of the center axis of rotation of lthe winding machine so that conductor 38 leaves pulley 68 shown in FIG. 2 at such center axis of rotation.

'Ihe operation `of the winding machine will now be described. `It will be apparent uhat initially resistance conductor 38 is threaded around pulley 26 and past pulley 4u and the end of such conductor is wrapped around winding pin portion 34a before the machine is assembled with sorews 8h. Thereafter, each additional roll of stock conductor may be lbutt-Welded to the trailing end of conductor 38.

In order to form helix 38a, it is necessary to Wind conductor 3-8 around pin portion 34a `of shaft 34 of the winding head. In .order to do this, relative rotation must be provided between shaft 38 and the machine structure including pulley 26 which carries and guides conductor 38 as it enters the winding machine. If such machine structure were maintained stationary and shaft 34 rotated relative thereto to form the helix, it will be apparent that the finished helix would rotate as it leaves the machine. Such rotation of the helix cannot be 4tolerated in continuous tubular heater making machines wherein a linished portion of the helix is being compacted in a sheath simultaneously with the winding .operation as it would cause deformation and damage to the helix.V Therefore, it is preferable to maintain winding head shaft 34 stationary `and to rotate the conductor carrying and guiding portion of the machine around such shaft to form the helix whereby to prevent rotation of the latter as lit leaves theA machine. In the preferred arrangement, it is necessary to prevent lthe iinished portion of the helix from slidably rotating on pin portion 34a in order continuously to bend conductor 38 around the latter. This is accomplished by means such as compression roll 48 bearing against the poi-tion of the helix surrounding pin portion 34a to prevent the helix `from rotating on the pin portion. The force provided by compression roll 48 is sufficient Ito prevent rotation of the helix on the pin portion but permits the helix to slide in an axial direction downwardly along and off the end of pin 4portion 34a as more conductor is wound on the latter.

In preventing rotation of the helix, compression roll 48 maintains the turns of the helix pressed tightly around pin portion 34a. Any conductor wire of this type has a certain amount of elasticity which acts when the turns slide out from'under compression roll 48 to cause the turns of the helix to open slightly radially and to increase the diameter of the released portion of the helix from the diameter of the portion thereof confined under compression roll 48. It will be apparent 4that such opening of the turns of the helix causes the released portion of the helix to rotate at a slow rate in the same direction as the helix is wound, that is, in the direction of rotation of the conductor carrying and guiding portion of the winding machine. Thus, as each 'turn slides from under the compression roll, its tendency to open causes such turn to rotate a small incremental amount. These incremental amounts of rotation are cumulative so that the lower end of the helix rotates a substantial amount if pin portion 34a of the winding head is held stationary.

For purposes of description, let it be assumed that the ratio of the diameter of driven ange 8j of base 8 and small driving wheel 62 is 3 to l so that base 8 is rotated one revolu-tion for three revolutions of wheel 62. Let it ialso be assumed that the ratio of the diameter of large driving wheel 64 and -the external diameter of ring gear 56 is 1 to 2, the ratio of the internal pitch diameter of ring gear 56 and the external pitch diameter of pinion gear 16 is 4 to 1 and that the ratio of the pitch diameters of pinion gear 16 and sun gear 32 is V1 to 2. As a result, for the three revolutions of wheel 64 ring gear 56 is driven one and one-half revolutions. If the base did not rotate, such rotation of the ring gear would drive the pinion gear six revolutions. However, as the base carries the pinion gear around once and it takes four revolutions of the pinion gear to transverse the ring gear, the latter actually drives the pinion gear two revolutions. As i-t takes two revolutions of the pinion gear to rotate once around sun gear 32, it will be apparent that the latter stands still.

It will be apparent from the aforementioned example that sun gear 32 `and winding head shaft 34 rigidly secured to the latter can ybe caused to rotate a selected amount in either direction for each unid-ireotional revolution of the base by appropriately changing one Iof the diameter ratios from -that assumed in the above example. Let it be assumed that both the base and the ring gear are driven in the clockwise direction yas shown by the arrows in FIGURE l. To cause sun gear 32 to rotate a selected amount in the clockwise direction for each revolution of the base, driving wheel 64 is given a smaller diameter so that the ratio of the diameter of wheel 64 to the external diameter of ring gear 56 is less than 1 to 2. However, as the Ihelix has a tendency to rotate at a slow rate in the same direction as the :b-ase due lto the aforementioned opening of the turns thereof, this direction being clockwise, and such rotation must be offset, it is necessary to cause sun gear 32 to rotate at a slow rate in the counterclockwise direction. To this end, driving wheel 64 is provided with Ia larger diameter so that the ratio of the diameter thereof to the external diameter of ring gear 56 is more than l to 2. Alternatively, the diameter of one or more of the other rotary elements may be changed to eect counterclockwise rotation of pin portion 34a of the winding head so as to prevent rotation of the lower end of the helix during the winding operation.

While driving wheels 62 and 64, flange 8j of base 8 and the periphery of ring gear 56 have been shown as having frictional surfaces for ease of illustration, it will `be apparent that other driving connections such as gear teeth or V-grooves and V-belts could be employed in place thereof to prevent any slippage therebetween. Also, driving wheels 62 and 64 have been illustrated and described as being connected to and driven in unison by motor driving members 66 and 67. However, driving wheels 62 and 64 could as well be driven independently :by members 66 and 67 or by separate shafts from separate motors having adjustable running speeds. With such an arrangement, Winding head pin portion 34a can be caused to rotate any desired amount in either desired direction concurrently with rotation of the base by adjusting the relative speeds of the motors. To illustrate this, let it be assumed that Wheel 64 is driven at a slower speed than wheel 62. Then, for each revolution of the base, ring gear 56 is driven less than one and one-half revolutions. If the -base did not rotate, such rotation of the ring gear would drive the pinion lgear less than six revolutions. However, as the base carries the pinion gear around once and it takes four revolutions of the pinion gear to traverse the ring gear, the latter actually drives the pinion gear less than two revolutions. As it takes two revolutions of the pinion gear to rotate once around the sun gear, it will be apparent that the sun gear is driven a selected amount in the clockwise direction for each revolution of the ibase. Alternatively, if driving wheel 64 is driven at a faster speed than Wheel 62, sun gear 32 will be driven a selected amount in the counterclockwise direction for each revolution of the base.

Conductor 38 is fed over pulley 63 and leaves the latter at the center line of the winding machine and travels to a point of tangency of pulley 26. As pulley 26 is carried by the lbase in a circle around the vertical axis of the winding machine, a twist of 360 degrees is introduced in the conductor traveling between pulleys 68 and 26 for each revolution of the base. The twisted conductor then moves to the winding head at a constant rate of speed so that a constant twist is provided per unit length of conductor. Part of this twist 'becomes permanent deformation or strain and the remainder of such twist remains as a stress in the conductor tending to cause untwisting thereof. This stress provides an initial or inherent tension in the helix to maintain the turns thereof closed against one another, the amount of such tension depending upon the elastic limit of the conductor. Assuming that the conductor is Wound clockwise onto the winding head pin portion 34a as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be apparent that the portion of the conductor entering the 'winding machine at pulley 26 is twisted counterclockwise when viewed in the direction from pulley 26 toward pulley 68, relative to the portion of the conductor leaving pulley 6g in response to rotation of the winding machine. Due to the elasticity of the conductor, such twist provides an opposing clockwise tension in the turns of the helix. As stretching of the helix tends to increase this twist in the conductor, it `will :be apparent that the opposing tension in the conductor causes the turns of the helix to be biased toward one another. This bias facilitates control of the length of the helix fed into each unit length of tubular heater. Thus, if the helix is pulled from the winding machine at a constant rate of speed, decrease in the winding speed Will `cause the helix to stretch. When the `winding speed is increased, such tension will act to cause the turns of the helix to be biased closer to one another. Also, such tension maintains the helix taut as it is fed into a tubular heater.

While the apparatus hereinbefore described is effectively adapted to fulfill the objects stated, it is to be understood that I do not intend to confine my invention to the preferred embodiment of helix `forming means disclosed, inasmuch as it is susceptible of various modifications without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine for winding linear metallic stock material into helical form, a relatively rotatable winding means and receiving means, said winding means comprising means for supporting and guiding the material to the receiving means whereby rotation `of said winding means relative to said receiving means causes the material to be Wound around said receiving means to form a helix, said receiving means comprising means causing release of the helix axially therefrom as additional turns of material are wound thereon, the turns of the metallic helix having a tendency to open slightly radially as they are released from said receiving means to cause the helix to rotate, means for driving said winding means, and means for driving said receiving means at such rotary speed as to offset such rotation of the helix whereby said helix does not rotate as it leaves said receiving means.

2. In a machine for winding linear metallic stock material into helical form:

(a) relatively rotatable Winding means and receiving means;

(b) said winding means comprising means for supporting and guiding the material to the receiving means whereby rotation of said winding means relative to said receiving means causes the material to ibe wound around said receiving means to form a helix;

(c) said receiving means comprising means causing release of said helix axially therefrom as additional turns of material are wound thereon;

(d) the turns of the helix having a tendency to open slightly radially as they are released from said receiving means to cause the helix to rotate;

(e) means for driving said winding means and said receiving means at relative rotary speeds to offset such rotation of the helix;

(f) means for rotatably mounting said receiving means on said `winding means;

(g) and said driving means comprising means for rotating said 'winding means in a first direction, and means for rotating said receiving means at a relatively slow speed in the other direction.

3. In a machine for winding linear metallic stock material into helical form:

(a) relatively rotatable winding means and receiving means;

(b) said winding means comprising means for supporting and guiding the material to the receiving means whereby rotation of said winding means relative to said receiving means causes the material to be wound around said receiving means to form a helix;

(c) said receiving means comprising means causing release of said helix axially therefrom as additional turns of lmaterial are wound thereon;

(d) the turns of the helix having a` tendency to open slightly radially as they are released from said receiving means to cause the helix to rotate;

(e) means for driving said Winding means and said receiving means at relative rotary speeds to oiset such rotation of the helix;

(j) and said receiving 4means comprising a rotary member having an enlarged portion and a reduced cylindrical end portion and a concave conical portion between said enlarged and reduced portions around which the material is wound to cause sliding of the latter toward said reduced cylindrical portion as each turn is wound thereon.

4. The invention defined in claim 3, together with a compression roll pressing the turns of the helix surrounding said reduced cylindrical portion against the latter to prevent relative rotation therebetween, said compression roll permitting axial sliding Emovement of such turns along and off the end of said reduced cylindrical portion as additional turns are wound thereon.

5. In a machine for winding linear metallic stock material into helical form:

(a) relatively rotatable winding means and receiving means;

(b) said `winding means comprising means for suptporting and guiding the material to the receiving means whereby rotation of said Winding means relative .to said receiving means causes the material to be wound around said receiving` means to form a helix;

(c) said receiving means comprising means causing release of said helix axially therefrom as additional turns of material are wound thereon;

(d) the turns of the helix having a tendency to open slightly radially as they are released from said receiving means to cause the helix to rotate;

(e) means for driving said winding means and said receiving means at relative rotary speeds to offset such rotation of the helix;

(f) said Winding means comprising a base rotatably mounted on a support;

(g) said supporting and guiding means comprising pulley means for guiding said material toward said receiving means;

(h) and means -for rotatably mounting said pulley means on said base and for rotatably supporting said receiving means.

6. The invention defined in claim 5, wherein said drivf3 ing means comprises power means `for rotatably driving said base, and a planetary -gear system driven by said power means lfor rotating said receiving means at a slow speed.

7. The invention dened in claim 5, wherein said driving means comprises power means `for rotatably driving said base in a llirst direction, and a planetary gear system driven by said power means for rotating said receiving means at a relatively slow speed in the opposite direction.

8. ln a machine for continuously Winding linear metal- -lic conductor into helical form, a rotatable winding device, a winding head around which the conductor is wound supported for rotation relative to said winding device on the center axis of rotation of the latter, a first freely rotatable pulley mounted at a xed point axially spaced ,from said winding device for guiding lche conductor to the latter, said rst pulley 'being located so that the center axis of rotation of said winding device is tangential thereto whereby the conductor `leaves said iirst pulley at such center axis of rotation, and a second :freely rotatable pulley mounted on said winding device at a point radially spaced from the center axis of rotation thereof for receiving the conductor -from said iirst pulley and for guiding the conductor toward said winding head whereby rotation of said winding device relative to said winding head causes the portion of the conductor traveling between said rst pulley and said second pulley to be twisted, such twisted conductor ythen passing over said second pulley and being wound around said winding head, and such twist in the conductor being in a direction to provide a stress in the turns of the helix tending tobias such .turns toward one another.

9. The invention dened in claim 8, together with means for retaining the turns of the helix from turning on and relative to said winding head, means for causing sliding of` the helix -axially along said winding head to release turns of the helix `from said retaining means as additionalfturns of conductor are wound thereon, the turns of the helix having a tendency to open slightly radially as they are released from said retaining means to cause the released portion of theV helix to rotate, and means for driving said winding device and said winding head at relative adjustable rotary speeds to offset such rotation of the helix.

19. In a machine for winding a linear metallic element into helical form, a winding head around which the element is wound, said winding head comprising means for preventing rotation of the helix thereon and means for effecting sliding of the helix axially therealong to cause consecutive release of the turns of the helix therefrom as additional turns are wound thereon, rotary means for supporting and guiding the element to said winding head, means for driving said rotary means to Wind the element on said winding head, the turns of the helix having a tendency to open slightly radially as they are released from the winding head thereby to cause the helix to rotate, and means for rotating said winding head to offset such rotation of the helix.

lil. -In a machine for winding a linear wire-like electrical resistance conductor into a continuous helix and for preventing rotation of such helix as it leaves the machine, a winding head comprising a member having an enlarged portion along the length thereof and a reduced cylindrical portion at one end and a concave conical portion between said enlarged and reduced portions, rotary means comprising a base rotatably mounted on a support, an open-top cavity in said base, a hole at the axis of rotation of said base extending from the bottom of said cavity to the exterior of said base forming an outlet for the nished portion of the helix, a pair of spaced parallel plates rigidly secured to one another and to the top of said base to close the cavity therein, alined holes at the axis of rotation of said plates, means for rotatably supporting said winding head in said holes so that said reduced cylindrical portion and said conical portion of said member extend into said cavity, means comprising apertures in said plates for guiding the conductor therethrough and through said cavity to said conical portion of said winding head, retaining means in said cavity preventing rotation of the turns of the helix on said reduced cylindrical portion of said winding head as said base is rotated relative to the latter to wind additional turns thereon and permitting axial sliding movement of the turns of the helix along and off the end of said reduced cylindrical portion and through the axial hole in said base, the turns of the helix opening slightly radially as they are released by said retaining means causing the helix to rotate, and means for driving said base and said winding head at different speeds to offset such rotation of the released portion of the helix.

12. The invention defined in claim l1, wherein said driving means comprises means for driving said base in a first rotary direction to wind said conductor on said reduced cylindrical portion of said winding head, and means for driving said winding head in the opposite rotary direction at a speed sufficient to compensate for said rotation of the released portion of the helix thereby to prevent rotation of the helix as it leaves the machine.

13. The invention defined in claim 12, wherein the last mentioned means comprises a planetary gear system mounted between said plates, said gear system comprising a sun gear rigidly secured to said enlarged portion of said winding head member for rotating the latter relative to said base, a pinion gear meshing with said sun gear to drive the latter, means mounting said pinion gear to said plates for rotation therebetween on an axis which is rotatable with said base, a ring gear meshing with said pinion gear to drive the latter, first rotary means for driving said base, second rotary means for driving said ring gear in the same direction as said base is driven, and the base and the first and second rotary means having relatively different effective diameters and said gears having relatively different pitch diameters `such that said base is driven in a first rotary direction to cause the conductor to be wound on said reduced cylindrical portion of said winding head and the latter is driven at a slow rate in the opposite rotary direction sufficient to prevent rotation of the helix as it leaves the machine.

14. The invention defined in claim 11, wherein said means for rotatably supporting said winding head comprises means for adjusting the latter relative to said plates whereby to adjust the portion of the conical portion thereof that is initially engaged by the conductor.

15. IThe invention defined in claim 11, wherein said means for rotatably supporting said winding head comprises a sleeve rotatably mounted in said alined holes in said plates, said enlarged portion of said winding head member being threaded within said sleeve to afford axial adjustment of said reduced cylindrical portion and said conical portion extending from said sleeve within said base cavity, and a locking nut resting on one of said plates and threaded to said enlarged portion of said member to rigidly secure the latter to said sleeve.

16. The invention defined in claim 15, wherein said driving means comprises a gear train between said plates including a driven gear surrounding and rigidly secured to said sleeve for rotating the latter and said winding head.

17. The invention defined in claim 11, wherein said 6 l of said winding head to prevent relative rotation therebetween.

18. The invention defined in claim 1l, wherein said base is provided with an annular peripheral flange, and said driving means comprises first means mounted on a rotary driving shaft and coupled to said flange for driving said base, a gear train mounted between said plates for driving said winding head member, and second means mounted on said shaft and coupled to said gear train for driving said winding head member at a slow speed in a rotary direction opposite to the direction in which said base is driven.

19. In a machine for Winding linear metallic stock material into helical form:

(a) relatively rotatable winding means and receiving means;

(b) said winding means comprising means for supporting and guiding the material to the receiving means whereby rotation of said winding ymeans relative t0 said receiving 4means causes the material to be wound around said receiving means to form a helix;

(c) said receiving means comprising means causing -release of said helix axially therefrom as additional turns of material are wound thereon;

(d) the turns of the helix having a tendency to open slightly radially as they are released from said receiving means to cause the helix to rotate;

(e) means for driving said winding means and said receiving means at relative rotary speeds to offset such rotation of the helix;

(f) guiding means coaxial with and spaced from said winding means for guiding the material into the latter;

(g) and said winding means being rotatable relative to said guiding means to cause the portion of the material traveling therebetween to be twisted in a direction to provide an initial tension in the material tending to bias the turns of the helix toward one another.

l20. In a machine for winding linear metallic stock material into helical form:

(a) relatively rotatable winding means and receiving means;

(b) said winding means comprising means for supporting and guiding the material to the receiving means whereby rotation of said winding means rela- -tive to said receiving means causes the material to be wound around said receiving means to for-m a helix;

(c) said receiving means comprising means causing release of the helix axially therefrom as additional 'turns of material are wound thereon;

(d) the turns of the helix having a tendency to open slightly radially as they are released from `said receiving means to `cause the helix to rotate;

(e) means for driving said winding means;

(f) and means for driving said receiving means at such rotary speed as to cause said helix to rotate at a desired speed in either selected direction as said helix is released from said receiving means which may be the same or opposite to the direction of said winding means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 708,128 Cole et al. Sept. 2, 1902 2,164,679 Braun July 4, 1939' 2,797,529 Mohr et al. July 2, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 468,398 Italy Jan. 2, 1952 

1. IN A MACHINE FOR WINDING LINEAR METALLIC STOCK MATERIAL INTO HELICAL FORM, A RELATIVELY ROTATABLE WINDING MEANS AND RECEIVING MEANS, SAID WINDING MEANS COMPRISING MEANS FOR SUPPORTING AND GUIDING THE MATERIAL TO THE RECEIVING MEANS WHEREBY ROTATION OF SAID WINDING MEANS RELATIVE TO SAID RECEIVING MEANS CAUSED THE MATERIAL TO BE WOUND AROUND SAID RECEIVING MEANS TO FORM A HELIX, SAID RECEIVING MEANS COMPRISING MEANS CAUSING RELEASE OF THE HELIX AXIALLY THEREFROM AS ADDITIONAL TURNS OF MATERIAL ARE WOUND THEREON, THE TURNS OF THE METALLIC HELIX HAVING A TENDENCY TO OPEN SLIGHTLY RADIALLY AS THEY ARE RELEASED FROM SAID RECEIVING MEANS TO CAUSE THE HELIX TO ROTATE, MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID WINDING MEANS, AND MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID RECEIVING MEANS AT SUCH ROTARY SPEED AS TO OFFSET SUCH ROTATION OF THE HELIX WHEREBY SAID HELIX DOES NOT ROTATE AS IT LEAVES SAID RECEIVING MEANS. 